Supplier Profile - AJ Butchery

Our Creative Chefs gathered together this week to attend a group butchery demonstration arranged by our Executive Chef Bruce. After a tasty breakfast of sausage and bacon baps, the team joined Steve Turton, a butcher from AJ Butchery, to learn and discuss the different cuts of meat available to them and the best ones to use for their menus. Steve brought along the best beef, lamb and pork that they supply, including Black Angus beef, Suffolk-Texel cross lamb and large white-Duroc cross pork.

AJ Butchery is a family-run business based in Newton Abbot in Devon run by Steve, his son, Andrew and his mum Pam, they are obviously very passionate about the extensive work they do. They even work with lots of small independant farms in Devon and the surrounding areas, choosing the animals to develop the best meats that they then supply to their clientele, including some high class London restaurants and Winter Wonderland!

 

Meet the Team - Rachel Smith

Name: Rachel Smith

Job Title: Finance Coordinator

Venue: All venues

Favourite Drink: Fizzy Vimto or Cider - depending on the time of day!

Favourite Meal: Moussaka

I started working for Creative... in 2006 at the NEC in Birmingham, I had just finished university so I was looking for a new challenge. I started off as bar staff then became a Bar Manager within a few months after which I became Staffing Manager. I had a few years off travelling and then came back as Office and Commercial Manager after the Olympics, which then turned into my current role in finance.

In a nutshell my role is... quite hectic! I process all invoices for the majority of our venues and outdoor catering department, and during the summer months I help out as a Commercial Manager by cashing up at busy festivals as well as helping out at other venues when they have busy shows on.

On an average day... I am processing hundreds of invoices!!

My most rewarding moment was... (I have a few!) Working at the Olympics, meeting Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver at the NE, watching my favourite bands at various festivals and getting to work with a great group of people.

My most challenging moment was... working long hours and for many days in a row at the Boat Show, Grand Designs and Travel Market at ExCeL Exhibition Centre. All worth it though!

I couldn’t cope without... great colleagues, they keep you upbeat when you need it most!

Best piece of advice... be nice to everyone, you may need their help in the future.

Meet the Team - Jennie Westoby

Name: Jennifer Westoby

Job Title: Senior Staffing Manager

Venue: All Venues

Favourite Drink: A long cold G&T

Favourite Meal: Has to be a hot and spicy curry.

I started working for Creative... in June 2013 on a 3 month contract to support the Outdoor Catering Department for the summer season. Before my contract was up, I was offered a full time position as Senior Staffing Manager.

In a nutshell my role is... to support the Staffing Team and ensure that the appropriate staffing resources are in place for all venues and events throughout the company.

On an average day... I am involved in a number of tasks from ordering food for an event to writing staff forecasts (there is always another one to do!), and from accounting to recruitment of new staff.

My most rewarding moment was... delivering my first ODC event with Luke Jones at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in the summer of 2013. It was four weekends of concerts, back to back with retail and hospitality offerings.

My most challenging moment was... at YNOT festival in 2013 when we had an electrical storm one evening and all units were closed. I was responsible to ensure that all staff were evacuated from their units and kept warm and dry ready to reopen when the storm had passed.

I couldn’t cope without... Lily Hayter. A fountain of knowledge and experience. She is a tremendous support to me and a little crazy with it too!

Best piece of advice... is to always take a step back and look at the bigger picture. So often we can get wrapped up in the minor detail of what we do.

645miles to be cycled by Team Creative!

We are very proud to announce that a few brave Creative individuals will be entering the Mitie London Revolution on 17th and 18th May to support the Mitie Foundation. 

Adrian, Ian, Zoe, Charlotte and Lily will be taking on the challenge of cycling a 2 day 180 mile loop of the capital, past iconic London landmarks, scenic backroads and legendary Olympic sites with an overnight base camp on Saturday evening at Ascot Racecourse.  Training  for the collective 645 miles is now underway!

The team hope to raise £1000 for the Mitie Foundation, an independent charity focused on creating opportunities for people from all backgrounds to join the world of work, raising aspirations and unlocking people’s true potential. 

We would be extremely grateful for your support and any donations small or large will be much appreciated.  With your help, we can do our bit for this inspirational cause. To donate, please visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/Creativevents.  

Best of luck to the team - we will be cheering you on all the way!!

Meet Team Creative - Lindsay Atkinson

Name...  Lindsay Atkinson

Job Title... Venue Manager

Venue... Olympia

Favourite Drink... Amaretto and coke, with a splash of lime

Favourite Meal... It varies, but generally anything with cheese in it or on it

I started working for Creative...  in 2005 whilst studying for my degree. I started out at the NEC in Birmingham working as bar staff, and loved how easily I could save money whilst having fun with my friends. I worked my way up the Creative ladder working in almost every role available!

In a nutshell my role is...  managing and maintaining our catering operation, and maximising opportunities whilst ensuring clients, the Venue and customers are all happy.

On an average day... there is always something to learn and take on board. No two events and organisers are the same and each one requires a different approach to make it successful.

My most rewarding moment...  is this moment right now. I have been given a great opportunity in my new role and I am proud of myself and what I have achieved over the years to come this far.

My most challenging moment... It’s hard to pinpoint one moment as each event provides its own challenges, whether it be developing the right food offering for the crowds at Chelsea Flower Show, ensuring that stock is planned accordingly for an Example concert or maintaining a high level of customer service on the shop floor during a busy run of exhibition events. As we all do in event catering I relish the challenges- it ensures the job never gets boring!

I can't be doing with... people that have no passion and don’t try.

I couldn’t cope without...  a latte every morning!

Best piece of advice... Never let your standards slip.

Team Night on the Tiles

The Creative team enjoyed a fantastic night at the Cost Sector Catering Awards last week... particularly the entertainment from comedian Hal Cruttenden.  All recovered now! 

Service with a Smile

Well done to the fantastic team at Excel who had a very busy event last week including functions in the The Boulevard Bar & Grill.  Happy, helpful and hardworking - thank you!